Cytological and histopathological correlation in skin adnexal tumors: a descriptive study
Meenakshi Mohapatro, Nandita Mohanta, Rashmi Rekha Mahapatra, Himansu Sekhar Naik, Asaranti KarAbstract
Background:
Adnexal neoplasms are a diverse group of cutaneous tumors arising from hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Because of significant overlap in clinical and morphological features, precise diagnosis is essential for appropriate management. Although histopathological examination remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis, cytology is a rapid, simple, and minimally invasive modality for preliminary evaluation.
Materials and Methods:
This study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India. Histologically confirmed cases of adnexal tumors diagnosed from January 2024 to December 2025 were included in this study. Cytological findings were recorded and correlated with histopathological diagnoses. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, which showed a statistically significant association (
Results:
A total of 92 histologically confirmed adnexal tumors were analyzed, comprising 82 (89.1%) benign and 10 (10.9%) malignant lesions. Cytological examination identified malignancy in all cases, but precise cytological subtyping was possible in only 66.7%. A statistically significant concordance was observed between cytological and histopathological findings.
Conclusion:
Cytology is a rapid, simple, and minimally invasive diagnostic technique that provides valuable preliminary information for evaluating adnexal tumors. When used alongside histopathology, it enables earlier and more accurate diagnosis, thereby supporting prompt and appropriate clinical management.